Mumbai: citing an increase in the economic situation, the government on Wednesday decided to restore members of the local parliamentary (MPLAD) development scheme which was suspended in April last year so that funds can be used in the war against Covid-19.
Because most of the years have passed, it was decided to recover funds for the remaining parts of the financial year ended March 31.
An MP will get Rs 2 Crore for development activities for 2021-22.
From the next financial year, the annual grant determined by Rs 5 Crore will be given to each MP.
The decision will be welcomed by parliamentarians, many of them feel that the means to reach constituents have been cut off injuring their outreach efforts.
The opinion about the scheme utility, however, is still divided into it is also considered vulnerable to manipulation and graft.
Under the MPLAD scheme, all parliamentarians can recommend a development program involving RS 5 Crore expenditure every year in their constituency.
To manage the health and adverse effects of Covid-19 in the community, the Cabinet in his meeting held in April 2020, has decided not to operate MPLAD during FY 2020-21 and 2021-22 and placing the funds at the time of disposal of the Ministry of Finance to manage the impact of the pandemic.
“This country is now on the road to the economic recovery and the scheme continues to be useful for the creation of durable community assets, in fulfilling the aspirations of local felt needs, in the development of skills and field creation throughout the country, thus.
Helpful in achieving the objectives of Atamnirbhar Bharat, “said the government in a statement issued after a cabinet meeting.
“All parliamentarians have enthusiastically gave their approval to contribute to the war against Covid,” said Minister of Information and Broadcasting Thakur on the Briefing Post Cabinet Media.
He said by considering recovery and improvement in economic situations and even growth seen in various sectors, decisions had been taken to recover MPLAD schemes for the remaining period of fiscal year 2021-22.
From 2022-23 to 2025-26 funds (co-terminus with the period of the 15th financial commission) will be released under the scheme at the level of Rs 5 Crore per year to them in two installments of Rs 2.5 Crore each.